WAIAPU ELECTION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1570, 28 September 1905, Page 2

WAIAPU ELECTION.

[ MR LIS3ANT CLAYTON AT PATUTAHI. , There was a crowded attendance at the Patntabi Public Hall last evening, wheD Mr Lissant Clayton addressed the eleotors , of ‘Waiapu. Mr W. E. Chambers pre- , sided and briefly introduced the speaker. Mr Clayton, in the course of a two ; hours' speeoh, made a most vigorous ! criticism of the Government policy, and was accorded a most attentive hearing. In ! his opening remarks he dealt in scathing terms in regard to the land polioy of the Government, pointing out that the Hon. James Carroll was entirely opposed to the freehold. The candidate made a strong attack on the native lands polioy of the Government, referring to the Native Minister as a nonentity, who was entirely at the mercy of the Czar of New Zealand, the Hon. R. J. Seddon. There were no less than 774,000 aores of native land lying in an unproductive state in New Zealand. Mr Clayton then pointed out the injustice that the native raoe were laboring under, adding that the Bitting member had one law for the Maori, and another for the European. He contended that the appointments to the East Coast Trust Board bad been mo3t unsatisfactory, and had caused general dissatisfaction throughout the whole of the district. The policy of the Native Minister tended toward Native landlordism, and was in every way antagonistic to the best interests of the district. Speaking of roads and bridges, Mr Clayton showed how the East Coast district had suffered compared to Westland and other plrces, numerous instances being given of the votes granted to the various constituencies. Several ma'ters in regard to the East Coast were referred to, the candidate being heartily applauded for the points scored. He spoke in favor of the continuance of the . present country franchise, and ridiculed the small expenditure on the GisborneTe Earaka railway. The Ministerial trip to the Islands was referred to in a manner whioh provoked endless amusement to the audience. In the oonclnding portion of his address Mr Clayton made a powerful appeal to the audionce, and warned them against being oarried away by the oratorical powers and attractive manner of the Hon. James Carroll. A number of questions were asked and satisfactorily answered, and on the motion of Mr A. Tuohy, seconded by Mr Rogers, a hearty vote of thanks and confidence was accorded to the candidate. Mr Clayton replied in appropriate terms, and a vote of thanks to the chairman terminated a most sueoessfnl meeting.